Australian FM's Vietnam visit: To underscore Australia's priority of deeper engagement with Southeast Asia
Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong visited Vietnam from 26-28 June 2022 to meet Vietnam’s leadership and underscore the new Australian Government’s priority of deeper engagement with Southeast Asia.
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| Visit of Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs to Hanoi. (Photo: DFAT) |
Minister Wong met President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Chair of the External Relations Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Le Hoai Trung. The Minister also met President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) Nguyen Xuan Thang.
Together with HCMA President Thang, Minister Wong participated in a ceremony to mark the establishment of the Vietnam Australia Centre (VAC). The VAC, located at the HCMA, will facilitate and promote knowledge sharing between the next generation of Australian and Vietnamese leaders, and demonstrates the significant levels of trust in our bilateral relationship.
Minister Wong and HCMA President Thang joined together the launching of the new VAC website, which will promote the activities of VAC in both English and Vietnamese.
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| Foreign Minister Penny Wong and HE Nguyen Xuan Thang, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics participated in a ceremony to mark the establishment of the Vietnam Australia Centre (VAC), and launched the VAC’s new website on 27 June. (Photo: DFAT) |
In her remarks at the HCMA, Minister Wong said: ‘The VAC will play an important role in deepening knowledge, supporting collaboration, and building stronger people to people links. The VAC will help both our countries realise the benefits of our cooperation and partnership. This is a genuine partnership that is grounded in trust.’
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| Foreign Minister Penny Wong had a bilateral meeting and enjoyed lunch with HE Bui Thanh Son, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Pham Hung Tam, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others at Government Guest House on 27 June. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
In her meetings with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Minister Wong discussed the strength of the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Partnership and the broad cooperation across strategic, economic and development issues.
Minister Wong reinforced Australia’s continuing support for Vietnam’s COVID-19 recovery, recognising the important role deep trade and investment ties would play in securing future prosperity.
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| Foreign Minister Penny Wong had discussions with Chair of the External Relations Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam Le Hoai Trung. (Photo: DFAT) |
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| On the steps of the Presidential Palace, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and HE President Nguyen Xuan Phuc thanked each other for a highly productive meeting. (Photo: DFAT) |
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| A warm welcome from Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh. (Photo: DFAT) |
Minister Wong also met with development partners and businesses to better understand the challenges Vietnam faces on climate change and the transition to clean energy, and how Australia and Vietnam can meet those challenges together. During her stay, she took the opportunity to sample some Hanoian culture by sharing a bowl of pho with local Vietnamese chef Sam Tran of Gia restaurant.
Minister Wong’s visit to Hanoi highlighted the strong and genuine connections between Australia and Vietnam and our shared vision for a stable and prosperous region.
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| Foreign Minister Penny Wong enjoyed sampling some Hanoian culture by sharing a bowl of pho ga with Vietnamese Chef Sam Tran of Gia Restaurant on 27 June. (Photo: DFAT) |
(Source: Australian Embassy in Vietnam)
